Design Emergency Paola Antonelli and Alice Rawsthorn on Design and Infrastructure
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May 20, 2025 Infrastructure is often overlooked until it fails spectacularly. The discussion sheds light on historic projects, like Bazalgette’s sewage systems, that transformed cities and public health. Subway maps from major cities reveal how design shapes urban identity. China’s dominance in global infrastructure highlights the need for sustainable solutions. Innovative cooling strategies from places like Bahrain address extreme heat and climate change challenges, showcasing the ongoing evolution of urban design and its impact on society.
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Bazalgette's Sewage Legacy
- Joseph Bazalgette designed London's mid-19th century sewage system to solve the Great Stink and serious health hazards.
- His network of sewers and pumping stations still serves London today, showing infrastructure's long-term impact.
Subway Maps Reflect City Psyche
- Subway maps reflect each city's identity, values, and how they want to be seen.
- New York resists systematization, London embraces order, and Tokyo thrives on complexity.
China's Infrastructure: Hard and Soft Power
- China's infrastructure boom benefits from scale, rural leapfrogging, and authoritarian speed despite environmental costs.
- The Sponge City flood program acts as a soft power export for resilient, nature-inspired urban design.
